Trevor Penney, the former head coach of the Barbados Royals in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), has been appointed as the new head coach of the Paarl Royals for the 2025 season of the South Africa T20 League (SA20). Penney replaces Shane Bond, who will now focus solely on his role as bowling coach for the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Penney has been a key figure in the Royals franchise since 2021, when the Royals Sports Group took over the Barbados team. Under his guidance, the Barbados Royals have emerged as a consistent contender in the CPL, reaching the final in 2022.
“I’m honored to take on the head coach role at Paarl Royals,” said Penney. “The SA20 has become a major tournament on the global cricket calendar, and I’m excited to work with such a talented squad. Being part of the Royals family with Rajasthan Royals and Barbados Royals has been a wonderful journey, and I’m looking forward to continuing that experience in Paarl.”
Penney will work alongside David Miller, who has captained the Paarl Royals in both seasons of the SA20 so far. The Royals reached the semi-finals in the inaugural season but were eliminated in the Eliminator in the second season.
“We’re delighted to have Trevor join as head coach of Paarl Royals,” said Royals’ director of cricket Kumar Sangakkara. “His track record with the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL and with the Barbados Royals in the CPL, where he’s helped in transforming the team into consistent contenders, shows the quality of coach he is.”
Meanwhile, Bond will focus on his role with the Rajasthan Royals ahead of the upcoming IPL auction. He will work closely with new head coach Rahul Dravid and batting coach Vikram Rathour to finalize the team’s plans.
“Shane Bond, who has been fantastic with us in both the IPL and the SA20, will focus extensively on his continued role with the Rajasthan Royals and spend more time in India, overseeing the scouting and trial processes along with Rahul and Vikram,” added Sangakkara.
